Jussie Smollett attends a press conference Tuesday after charges against him were dropped.

CHICAGO — Prosecutors Tuesday dropped all charges against Jussie Smollett, an astonishing reversal that the “Empire” actor called vindication, but that the Chicago mayor angrily dismissed as a “whitewash” of allegations that Smollett lied about being the target of a racist, anti-gay attack.

Authorities said they still believe Smollett concocted the attack, and offered little explanation for the decision to abandon the case barely five weeks after charges were filed. In return for the dismissal, Smollett agreed to do community service and to forfeit the $10,000 he paid to get out of jail.

The mayor and police chief blasted the move and stood by the investigation that concluded Smollett staged a hoax. Mayor Rahm Emanuel lashed out at Smollett, saying he had dragged the city’s reputation “through the mud” in a quest to advance his career. “Is there no decency in this man?” Emanuel asked.

Smollett’s attorneys said his record was “wiped clean” of the 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was assaulted by two men. The actor insisted that he had “been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one.”

In a statement, Tandra Simonton, a spokeswoman for the Cook County prosecutors’ office, said the dismissal came “after reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case,” calling it “a just disposition and appropriate resolution” but not an exoneration.

Authorities alleged that Smollett, who is black and gay, knew the men and arranged for them to pretend to attack him.

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson stood by the department’s investigation and said Chicago “is still owed an apology.”

“I’ve heard that they wanted their day in court with TV cameras so that America could know the truth. They chose to hide behind secrecy and broker a deal to circumvent the judicial system,” Johnson said.

Before the attack, police said, Smollett sent the letter that threatened him to the Chicago studio where “Empire” is shot. The FBI, which is investigating that letter, has declined to comment.